Sakatti copper project development timeline extended – change negotiations to align staffing with the revised schedule
13 November, 2026
Anglo American discovered the Sakatti polymetallic orebody in Finnish Lapland in 2009 and has been designing and progressing the permitting for a potential underground mine that could co-exist with the sensitive environment and local communities.
Sakatti would produce a copper concentrate and a nickel concentrate. These are expected to contain up to 40,000 tonnes per year of copper and up to 23,000 tonnes per year of nickel, with the additional benefits of cobalt, platinum group metals, gold and silver in smaller amounts. According to an independent study by Copenhagen Economics, Sakatti would directly employ 300–500 people and contribute an estimated EUR 320–370 million a year to Finland’s GDP during its operating phase. In March 2025, the European Commission awarded Sakatti Strategic Project status under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.
In October 2026, the Ministry of the Environment requested supplementary information on the Natura derogation application submitted by the Regional Council of Lapland. The derogation is required for the approval of the regional land use plan necessary for the Sakatti project to proceed. The request concerned, in particular, the proposed measures to compensate for impacts on the natural values of the Viiankiaapa Natura 2000 site. The requested supplementary information must be submitted by the end of January 2027.
“Sakatti has the potential to be a major source of responsibly produced copper and other critical minerals for Finland and the European market. Throughout Sakatti’s extensive permitting process, we are seeking solutions that fit the project’s specific characteristics, meet nature conservation requirements and allow the project to move forward. Finland has little prior experience of compensation procedures for Natura derogations, and approaches elsewhere in the EU vary widely. Building on over 20 years of exploration activity in Finland, we will continue to work closely with all relevant authorities in Finland and Brussels to help progress and deliver this strategically important project,” says Pertti Lamberg, CEO of Anglo American’s Finnish subsidiary.
Processing of the supplemented plans by the authorities is expected to take at least several months in 2027, including consultation rounds in Finland. Once the Finnish authorities consider the application and compensation plan to be sufficient, the Ministry of the Environment will request an opinion from the European Commission. The Finnish Government will then decide on the Natura exemption permit.
The added permitting round and the uncertainty around its timing have a direct impact on the project timeline. Some activities planned for late 2026 and spring 2027 will now have to be postponed.
AA Sakatti Mining Oy, the Finnish subsidiary of Anglo American developing the project, will therefore start change negotiations under the Finnish Co-operation Act (1333/2021) to align staffing with the revised project timeline.
The change negotiations will begin on 13 November 2026 and will concern the company's entire workforce of 63 employees. According to the employer's preliminary estimate, the planned measures may result in the termination of the employment of up to 27 permanent employees. Final decisions will be made after the change negotiations have been concluded.
For further information:
Pertti Lamberg, Country CEO – Finland, Anglo American's Finnish subsidiary
Tel. +358 40 128 3988, email: [email protected]